Tragedy as body found in search for missing soldier hours after disappearance
A soldier has been found dead in a Welsh waterway just hours after he was reported missing.
Stephen Hughes of the Royal Welsh regiment, vanished from the Bethel area at around 8.30pm on August 12.
Shortly after 11:30pm on the same day, the body of the 25-year-old was recovered from the Menai Strait, near Bethel in Gwynedd.
His disappearance prompted appeals for information across a number of online platforms, including a group focused on locating missing veterans, service personnel, and emergency workers, reports the Mirror.
North Wales Police confirmed the tragic discovery with chief inspector Jon Aspinall stating: "My thoughts are with Stephen's family who are being supported by officers.
"The coroner has been updated and there are thought to be no suspicious circumstances."
In a brief tribute a former colleague wrote: "RIP Steve. You were one of the kindest most genuine and caring blokes I've met. You will be sorely missed. Until the final RV brother."
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The body of a missing soldier has been found in the Menai Strait just hours after he disappeared. Stephen Hughes, a soldier in the Royal Welsh regiment of the British Army, was reported missing from Bethel in Gwynedd, Wales, at around 8.30pm on 12 August, police said. His body was found three hours later in the Menai Strait between Anglesey and the mainland of north Wales. North Wales Police Chief Inspector Jon Aspinall said: "My thoughts are with Stephen's family, who are being supported by officers. The coroner has been updated, and there are thought to be no suspicious circumstances." Mr Hughes had helped set up a support group for men on Facebook called Lads' Advice, offering help to those struggling with their mental health. A post was shared by a friend announcing the soldier's passing. "Steve was a founding member of the team and leaves a huge gap. We're honestly devastated," the friend said. He added: "RIP Steve. You were one of the kindest, most genuine and caring blokes I've met. You will be sorely missed. Until the final RV brother." A former army comrade also praised what a "great lad" Mr Hughes was.
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